Collapsible rack device

ABSTRACT

A collapsible rack device is disclosed having an assembled structure designed to hang multiple articles, such as clothing and towels, on a beach or other ground surface, the structure being capable of manual disassembly and storage into a self-contained unit. The present device includes a hollow rectangular housing member having a removable cap member at the top end thereof and a similarly rectangular inner sleeve longitudinally contained within the housing member and fitted to slide therethrough. The inner sleeve is further formed to hold a plurality of arm members lengthwise within separate compartment chambers, the arm members being configured respectively to engage the top of the inner sleeve for providing hanging support of the articles and further to engage the bottom of the housing member for standing support of the device. Drawn outward from the housing member, the inner sleeve may be fixed in one of several elevated positions by means of set pins made to fit transversely through separate holes formed in the walls of the housing member and inner sleeve so that the height of the rack may be adjusted. When not in use, the device and all of its component parts may be stored and carried in a single packaged unit.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/281,574 filed Nov. 19, 2009 for Collapsible Rack Device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to support racks of the type used for hanging articles of clothing or the like, and more particularly to an improved collapsible rack device incorporating all of its structural elements into a compact portable unit that may be easily assembled and deployed upon a ground or floor surface to hang clothing articles.

In recreational activities, especially those conducted outdoors, such as swimming, camping or hiking, there are frequent occasions where it becomes necessary and beneficial for an individual to hang clothing and other personal articles temporarily in a convenient and readily accessible location. Wet clothing and towels that need to dry before reuse and other personal articles of an individual are preferably suspended and held above the floor or ground surface to ensure effective exposure to the ambient air and are best maintained as such in proximity to the individual to be readily at hand and prevent loss. To serve these needs, many free-standing clothing racks or valet stands have been devised and made to be collapsible in their structure so that they may be more easily stored and carried by the user when not in use. A few examples of these prior art collapsible racks and valet stands are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,236,212 to Saladee; 1,973,521 to Bullard; 2,621,802 to Stover; and 5,022,617 to Henderson.

While the collapsible racks and stands of the prior art have been generally satisfactory in their use and operation, their articulated structure and mechanisms for deployment have been somewhat complicated and difficult to maintain and their retracted assemblies have not afforded easy storage and portability in a compact package. There is a need, therefore, for an improved form of collapsible rack device having a more simple assembly of articulating parts than heretofore devised that can produce an extended support rack in a deployed state and a compact, integrated package when disassembled and retracted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a general purpose and object of the present invention to provide an improved collapsible rack device used to hang clothing or the like that is simple to deploy and easier to transport than prior art devices that have heretofore been designed and developed.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide an improved collapsible rack device that is contained in a compact portable package and capable of deployment into a free-standing assembly that may be used upon a variety of ground surface locations to hang articles of clothing or the like.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved collapsible rack device that may be erected in a variety of configurations with different standing heights each capable of being balanced upon hard and soft ground surfaces.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved collapsible rack device that may be readily disassembled and stored in an integrated unit for greater portability.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a collapsible rack device that is relatively inexpensive and economical to manufacture, simple to deploy, and easy to carry and store.

Briefly, these and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by an improved collapsible rack device having an assembled structure designed to hang multiple articles, such as clothing and towels, on a beach or other ground surface, the structure being capable of manual disassembly and storage into a self-contained unit. The present device includes a hollow rectangular housing member having a removable cap member at the top end thereof and a similarly rectangular inner sleeve longitudinally contained within the housing member and fitted to slide therethrough. The inner sleeve is further formed to hold a plurality of longitudinal arm members within separate compartment chambers. The arm members are configured respectively to engage the top of the inner sleeve for providing hanging support of the articles and further to engage the bottom of the housing member for standing support of the device. With the cap member removed, the arm members are made accessible and removed from within the inner sleeve so that each arm member may be properly positioned. Drawn outward from the housing member, the inner sleeve may be fixed in one of several elevated positions by means of set pins made to fit transversely through separate holes formed in the walls of the housing member and inner sleeve so that the height of the rack may be adjusted. When not in use, the device and all of its component parts may be stored and carried in a single packaged unit.

For a better understanding of these and other aspects of the present invention, reference should be made to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals and character designate like parts throughout the figures thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of the present invention, references in the detailed description set forth below shall be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective side view from above of the collapsible rack device of the present invention shown in a deployed state;

FIG. 2 is a further perspective side view of the collapsible rack device of FIG. 1 shown in a more elevated position with the inner sleeve released and extended from the outer housing of the device;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of the top portion of the present collapsible rack device showing the arrangement of structural components disposed and contained within the device;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the present collapsible rack device in its collapsed and contained state;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the present collapsible rack device in the collapsed and contained state;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the collapsible rack device shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a further side elevation view of the collapsible rack device shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the separate parts in respective groups comprising the present collapsible rack device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following serves to describe a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the best presently contemplated mode of its production and practice. This description is further made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention but should not be taken in a limiting sense, the scope of the invention being best determined by reference to any associated claims.

Referring to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 8, the following is a list of structural components of the present collapsible rack device, generally designated 10, and those associated structural elements shown employed in connection with the present invention:

-   -   10 collapsible rack device;     -   12 housing member;     -   12 a housing wall holes;     -   12 b housing wall slots;     -   12 c housing wall slots;     -   14 inner sleeve;     -   14 a inner sleeve hole;     -   14 b inner sleeve compartments;     -   16 a upper arms;     -   16 b extended upper arms;     -   17 upper arm notches;     -   18 set pin;     -   20 lower arms;     -   21 lower arm notches;     -   22 end cap; and     -   24 bottom panel.

Referring to the deployed condition of the collapsible rack device 10, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the present device is constructed and assembled comprising an elongated housing member 12 formed having a rectangular cross-section with resulting inner chamber extending therethrough and an inner sleeve 14 of substantially the same length as the housing member but formed having a slightly smaller rectangular cross-section that allows the inner sleeve to slide longitudinally within the housing member. Rigid in form and constructed from a strong but lightweight material, such as plastic, the housing member 12 is fabricated having a series of holes 12 a relatively small in diameter made through the side walls of the housing member on opposite sides thereof, the holes being aligned and spaced apart along the length of the housing member. Similarly rigid in form and made from a like material as that of the housing member 12, the inner sleeve 14 is fabricated having a pair of holes 14 a, one made through each of the opposite side walls of the sleeve adjacent to the side walls of the housing member 12 where holes 12 a are located. The holes 14 a through the inner sleeve 14 are positioned at the same level on each of the opposite side walls thereof and near to the bottom edge of the inner sleeve, as better shown in FIG. 2. The holes 14 a of the inner sleeve 14 are formed equivalent in diameter to the holes 12 a of the housing member 12 and are positioned to align correspondingly with each of the housing member holes as the inner sleeve is moved through the housing member. This alignment of the respective holes 12 a and 14 a allows their engagement using a set pin 18, as described in greater detail below, on each of the opposite sides to adjust the extension of the inner sleeve 14 from the housing member 12 and fix them in any one of several deployed positions selected by the user.

The set pin 18 is a T-shaped member rigid in form having a short cylindrical stem sized to fit through and engage the aligned holes 12 a and 14 a of the respective housing member 12 and inner sleeve 14. The top of the set pin 18 may be cylindrical or rectangular in its cross-section but should be sufficient in size and dimension to allow the set pin to be handled and manipulated easily by the user. The length of the stem of the set pin 18 should be sufficient to extend completely through the aligned holes 12 a and 14 a on each side of the rack device 10 and preferably allow the top of the set pin to rest immediately against the side walls of the housing member 12 on either side when engaged. As is better viewed in FIG. 2, the inner sleeve 14 may be moved outward or inward through the housing member 12 with the set pin 18 withdrawn and may be fixed in one of several extended positions via engagement of the set pin with the corresponding holes 12 a and 14 a so that the overall height of the rack device 10 may be adjusted.

Referring now to FIG. 3 in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2, the inner sleeve 14 is further formed having a plurality of separate compartments 14 b, preferably three in number, that run longitudinally through the inner sleeve. The compartments 14 b are separated by longitudinal dividers and serve primarily to hold a plurality of elongated members within the chambers of the separate compartments, storing them when not in use. The elongated members are substantially rectangular in their configuration and include: a pair of first upper arms 16 a each formed having a rectangular notch 17 made along its bottom edge: a pair of second upper arms 16 b each having an extended length greater than the first upper arm with a series of similar rectangular notches 17 spaced apart and made along its bottom edge; and a group of four lower arms 20 each of the same length and formed having a pair of rectangular notches 21, one along the top edge and the other along the bottom edge of each upper arm adjacent to its inner end. The rectangular dimensions of the notches 17 formed in the respective upper arms 16 a and 16 b and those of the notches 21 in the lower arms 20 are made to provide fitted engagement with the respective walls and compartment dividers of the inner sleeve 14 and the walls of the housing member 12, further locking the respective arms in place when in their extended positions.

The first pair of upper arms 16 a are adapted to engage the top edge of the inner sleeve 14 and made to project therefrom when the sleeve is withdrawn from the housing member 12 in the deployed condition of the present collapsible rack device 10, each upper arm being held in an extended position from atop the inner sleeve by means of the fitted engagement of the rectangular notch 17 with the outer wall of the inner sleeve. The second pair of upper arms 16 b with their extended lengths are also adapted to engage the top edge of the inner sleeve 14 with their respective series of notches 17 providing for a more extended fitted engagement across the top of the inner sleeve, the notches of the upper arms being formed and spaced apart to accommodate engagement of the outer wall of the inner sleeve as well as one or both of the compartment dividers within. It should be noted and understood that the series of spaced notches 17 formed along the lower edge of the upper arms 16 b allow the upper arms to engage the top of the inner sleeve 14 in alternate orthogonal directions and when seated in their extended engagement across the top of the inner sleeve, the spaced notches together serve to lock the longer upper arms more firmly for greater support in hanging articles thereon.

The lower arms 20 each formed with respective pairs of rectangular notches 21 near the inner ends thereof are adapted to engage the respective walls of the housing member 12 about the base of the housing and held there in place in extended positions, best shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, that rest substantially even with the bottom surface of the housing. As best viewed in FIGS. 5 and 7, the walls of the housing member 12 are provided with slotted openings 12 b and 12 c, one on each wall about the bottom of the housing member. The slotted openings at the base of housing member 12, being 12 b as indicated on opposite shorter sides of the housing member and 12 c on the opposite longer sides, are preferably L-shaped in configuration to facilitate a locking placement of each lower arm 20. To provide standing support to the housing member 12 upon deployment of the present rack device 10, inner ends of the lower arms 20 are uprightly inserted through the respective slotted openings 12 b and 12 c at the base of the housing member and subsequently moved laterally within the slotted openings to engage the rectangular notches 21. In this engaged position, the lower arms 20 are held in place within the slotted openings 12 b, 12 c with some element of deflection that allows the lower arms to support the housing member 12 and deployed device 10 in a substantially vertical attitude on uneven surfaces and loose terrain, such as sand.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 through 7 in conjunction with FIG. 3, an end cap 22 is provided and formed to fit upon the top of the housing member 12 to close the chamber and confine the structural components of the present collapsible rack device 10 therein when not in use. The end cap 22 is further adapted for removal from the top of the housing member 12 to allow withdrawal of the inner sleeve 12 and the other structural members contained in the chamber of the housing member when the present device 10 is ready for deployment. A fixed bottom panel 24 on the housing member 12 is provided to keep dirt and debris from entering the housing chamber but may be made in a removable cap form similar to end cap 22. It should be noted and understood that when not in use or upon disassembly from its deployed condition, the present collapsible rack device 10 with all of its structural components are fitted and made to be stored and contained in a single consolidated unit.

Therefore, it is apparent that the described invention provides an improved collapsible rack device used to hang clothing articles that simple to deploy and easier to transport than prior art devices that have heretofore been designed and developed. More particularly, the disclosed inventive device provides a collapsible rack device that is contained in a compact portable package and capable of deployment into a free-standing assembly that may be used upon a variety of ground surface locations to hang articles of clothing or the like. In the described embodiment, the present collapsible rack device may be erected in a variety of configurations with different standing heights each capable of being balanced upon hard and soft ground surfaces. Furthermore, the collapsible rack device, as described above, can be readily disassembled and consolidated into an integrated unit for ease of storage and greater portability. In addition, the present inventive device is relatively inexpensive and economical to manufacture, simple to deploy, and easy to carry in its disassembled state.

Obviously, other embodiments and modifications of the present invention will readily come to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and drawings. Alternate embodiments of different shapes and sizes, as well as substitution of known materials or those materials which may be developed at a future time to perform the same function as the present described embodiment are therefore considered to be part of the present invention. Furthermore, certain modifications to the described embodiment that serve to benefit its usage are within the scope of the present invention. For example, a carrying handle attachment upon the housing member 12 may be added to assist in the transport of the present device 10 in its packaged state. Accordingly, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiment described, but rather is intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of the present invention as expressed in the appended claims. 

1. A collapsible rack device for hanging articles when deployed, comprising: an elongated housing member formed having a rectangular chamber extending longitudinally through perimeter walls of said housing member; an elongated sleeve formed to fit within the rectangular chamber of said housing member and slide longitudinally therethrough between a contained position and an extended position with said sleeve being adapted to releasably engage the perimeter walls of said housing member in a fixed position between the contained and extended positions, said elongated sleeve being further formed having a plurality of separate compartments disposed longitudinally therein; a first plurality of longitudinal arm members sized for containment within the compartments of said elongated sleeve and formed to releasably engage the top of said sleeve projecting therefrom in alternate transverse directions to provide hanging support of the articles; and a second plurality of longitudinal arm members sized for containment within the compartments of said elongated sleeve and formed to releasably engage the bottom of said housing member along the perimeter walls thereof projecting therefrom in transverse directions to provide standing support of the device when deployed.
 2. A collapsible rack device according to claim 1, further comprising: coupling means for holding the fixed position of said sleeve relative to said housing member.
 3. A collapsible rack device according to claim 3, wherein said coupling means comprises: a set pin formed to releasably connect said housing member and said sleeve in the fixed position.
 4. A collapsible rack device according to claim 2, further comprising: a cap member formed to fit the top of said housing member to close the chamber thereof with said sleeve contained therein.
 5. A collapsible rack device according to claim 1, wherein said first plurality of longitudinal arm members are formed with one or more notches along the length of said arm members to provide fitted engagement with the top of said sleeve.
 6. A collapsible rack device according to claim 5, wherein selected ones of said first plurality of longitudinal arm members are formed having extended lengths.
 7. A collapsible rack device according to claim 5, wherein said second plurality of longitudinal arm members are formed with a pair of notches near the end of the respective arm members to provide fitted engagement with the perimeter walls at the bottom of said housing member.
 8. A deployable rack device for hanging articles, comprising: an elongated housing member formed having a surrounding wall and a chamber extending longitudinally therethrough; an elongated sleeve formed to fit within the chamber of said housing member and slide longitudinally therethrough between a contained position and an extended position, said sleeve being adapted to releasably engage the surrounding wall of said housing member in a fixed position between the contained and extended positions, said elongated sleeve being further formed having a chamber divided into a plurality of separate compartments; a first plurality of longitudinal arm members sized for containment within the compartments of said elongated sleeve and formed to releasably engage the top of said sleeve projecting outwardly therefrom in alternate directions to provide hanging support of the articles; a second plurality of longitudinal arm members sized for containment within the compartments of said elongated sleeve and formed to releasably engage the bottom of said housing member along the surrounding wall thereof projecting outwardly therefrom to provide standing support for the device when deployed; and coupling means for holding the fixed position of said sleeve relative to said housing member.
 9. A deployable rack device according to claim 8, further comprising: a cap member formed to fit the top of said housing member to close the chamber thereof with said sleeve contained therein.
 10. A deployable rack device according to claim 8, wherein said coupling means comprises: a set pin formed to releasably connect said housing member and said sleeve in the fixed position.
 11. A deployable rack device according to claim 8, wherein said first plurality of longitudinal arm members are formed with one or more notches along the length of said arm members to provide fitted engagement with the top of said sleeve.
 12. A deployable rack device according to claim 11, wherein said said second plurality of longitudinal arm members are formed with a pair of notches near the end of the respective arm members to provide fitted engagement with the surrounding wall at the bottom of said housing member.
 13. A deployable rack device according to claim 11, wherein selected ones of said first plurality of longitudinal arm members are formed having extended lengths. 